Police/Firefighter Appreciation Night Highlights UMKC-NDSU Matchup
2/8/2012 7:02:00 PM | Men's Basketball
February 9, 2012 - 7:05 p.m. (Central)
Swinney Recreation Center * Kansas City, Mo.
Radio: 810 AM (Steven Davis, Steven St. John)
Promotion: Police/Firefighter Appreciation Night
THE GAME
The Kangaroos come back home for two games, starting with a contest against North Dakota State on Thursday night at 7:05 from Swinney Recreation Center. UMKC is on a three-game skid, but plays five of its last six games at home. NDSU is in third in the conference race, and comes in after a loss.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
North Dakota State is 15-8 overall, and 8-5 in conference play, but have lost four of their last six games They sit in third place in the league standings.
A young squad, they are led by sophomore 6-7 guard Taylor Braun, who averages 16.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, while dishing out 61 assists. Freshman guard Lawrence Alexander is averaging 12.6 points per contest, along with 118 assists. Also in double figures are sophomore forward Marshall Bjorklund (12.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and sophomore sharpshooter Mike Felt (10.2 ppg, 63 3-pt FG).
As a team, the Bison lead the league in field goal percentage (.496) and field goal percentage defense (.416). They also rank third in the league in scoring defense, allowing only 66.8 points per game.
THE COACHES
Matt Brown is in his fifth season as the head coach of the UMKC men's basketball program, and comes off his most successful season at the helm. In 2010-11, he posted his first winning record at 16-14 overall. The 'Roos also posted the third-most home wins in school history, going 11-4 in Kansas City, and the third-most overall wins in program history.
Brown joined the 'Roos as the eighth head coach in school history on April 12, 2007. In his five seasons as head coach, Brown has guided UMKC to a 51-93 overall record and has coached seven players to all-Summit League recognition.
Saul Phillips is in his fifth season as the head coach of the Bison and has a 82-61 record there. He led NDSU to the league title and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2009. He served as an assistant coach for three seasons before being named to his current post.
THE SERIES
The Kangaroos and Bison are meeting for the 12th time, with NDSU holding an 8-3 lead in the series. NDSU won the first meeting in Fargo this season by a 55-54 score.
In Kansas City, UMKC is 2-3, winning 75-73 at Swinney last season.
Matt Brown has a 2-7 mark against NDSU, while Saul Phillips is 7-2 vs. UMKC as a head coach, and 8-3 overall at NDSU.
A WIN WOULD MEAN...
- UMKC would have snapped a three-game losing streak overall.
- UMKC would have defeated NDSU in three of the last five meetings.
- UMKC would have its first win over a team in the top three of the standings this season.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
- Dustin Dibble will be playing in his 105th career college basketball game on Thursday, moving into 10th all-time in games played at UMKC.
- Reggie Chamberlain now has 129 career threes and needs six more to take sole possession of eighth. His current 3.0 made per game is third all-time at UMKC, while his percentage of .430 would be first.
- Chamberlain is now 18th on the all-time scoring list at UMKC (started the season 49th). He has 771 points now, and is the 19th player to reach 700 pts at UMKC. He needs two points to pass Bakari Lewis in 15th, and 17 to pass Mike English in 14th.
